Abstract: The invention provides a method for the preparation of FePt or CoPt nanoparticles in ionic liquids, which in certain embodiments constitutes a direct method for the preparation of such nanoparticles having the face-centred tetragonal (fct) crystalline form. The invention also provides FePt or CoPt nanoparticles obtainable by a method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a process for distributing product entitlements to frequent shopper program members. The process includes communicating with a central retailer server having product purchase histories of frequent shopper program members through a computer network. The frequent shopper program member data, including individual account numbers and related product purchase histories are then captured and copied to a central host system database. A database of available product entitlements is compared to the product purchase history of each member account number. A list of available product entitlements to be associated with each member account number is then selected. Dispensers are provided in the retail store so as to be accessible to the frequent shopper program members. The frequent shopper program member activates the dispenser by entering identifying information related to their specific member account number.

Abstract: An animal locating system including a collar unit including a wireless transceiver for selectively emitting encoded signals to a portable fence unit and to identify when an animal has wandered beyond a predetermined boundary. The system further includes a remote unit including a transmitting mechanism for selectively sending an encoded signal to the collar unit and for notifying an animal that an undesired act has been performed. The portable fence unit is selectively positionable for determining a predetermined boundary within which an animal may wander. The system further includes a third party service unit including a locating mechanism for communicating with a GPS mechanism of the collar unit so that a location of an animal can be determined. The third party service unit also communicates with a transceiver mechanism of the collar unit for determining a location of an animal when same has wandered beyond a predetermined boundary.